Focusrite Scarlett Alternatives: Affordable USB Audio Interfaces
In this article, we look at a range of different Focusrite Scarlett alternatives from renowned brands to help you start recording without spending too much.
Scarlett Alternatives:
Why is the Scarlett Series so popular?
In 2011, at a time when terms like “budget audio interface” were still somewhat taboo, Focusrite launched the first Scarlett interface. In the industry, this was a transitional phase as the previously dominant Pro Tools rigs of the past were slowly being replaced by more affordable hardware that was compatible with any DAW system.
With converter technology becoming cheaper to manufacture, the Scarlett Series became a beacon that musicians could trust to do basic recording and monitoring in a compact and portable form factor. Furthermore, the experience was always enhanced with driver stability and compatibility that allowed any user to start their recording journey immediately.
Focusrite Scarlett Alternatives: Universal Audio Volt
First introduced in 2021, the Volt series is Universal Audio’s budget audio interface range for home recording with plug-and-play compatibility for macOS, Windows, and iOS devices. The Volt range starts at a little over $100 dollars for an interface with optional DC power, MIDI I/O, and a preamp with vintage 610 console emulation mode.
As you go slightly up the range, you’ll find the Volt 76 interfaces in different options with a slight variation on the design, with the controls up top. All the features are carried over, but as the name suggests, the 76 adds an emulation of the famous 1176 FET compressor with three modes for vocals, guitars, and a faster, more aggressive setting for synths and bass.
Finally, at the top of the Volt range is the 24×28 rackmount format 876 with 32-bit 192 kHz recording. Aside from the extended I/O, the 876 also adds features like digital control via the UAD Console app, preamp auto-gain, and expansion via ADAT. Overall, the Volt series offers competitive conversion and preamp quality, and the 1176 compressor emulation makes it unique. Get it at Thomann.*
Focusrite Scarlett Alternatives: Audient iD
The iD interface range was first launched in 2013, drawing from Audient’s experience with console design and delivering a solution to meet the demands of home studios. Although the iD and Scarlett interface ranges are both from British manufacturers, the design philosophy is quite different, with priorities placed in different areas.
For one thing, the option of DC power is only available closer to the top of the range with the iD44 MKII, and the maximum sample rate for recording is 96 kHz. However, these are not necessarily disadvantages, as the number of users demanding 192 kHz recording from budget interfaces is certainly in the minority.
What makes the iD range so attractive is the way that Audient has included features you’d usually expect in more high-end gear. These include more powerful headphone preamps, insert points, ADAT, and word clock that are available at lower price points than most of the other competing audio interfaces you’ll find. Get it at Thomann.*
Focusrite Scarlett Alternatives: SSL
Possibly the closest all-round competitor to the Scarlett series comes from the most famous British console manufacturer of all, Solid State Logic. The SSL audio interfaces first emerged on the market in 2020 and were an instant hit with their tilted desktop-friendly look and a straightforward set of controls designed to make recording easy.
The only major difference between the SSL and Focusrite Scarlett interfaces, besides the form factor, is the fact that you don’t get some of the instant gratification features like auto-gain and clip-safe. Meanwhile, the mic preamps on the SSL interfaces have a 4K mode that emulates the preamps from the iconic 4000 series consoles.
Overall, the SSL range is extremely competitive, starting at just over $150 and going up to just under $1000 for the top-of-the-range SSL 18, with all its bells and whistles. Meanwhile, the similarly priced Alpha 8 is the ideal solution for synth heads who don’t necessarily need mic preamps and instead want to connect a range of electronic music hardware. Get it at Thomann.*
Focusrite Scarlett Alternatives: Arturia MiniFuse
Arturia’s popular MiniFuse line of audio interfaces provides affordable recording solutions with features that favour beginners due to the ease with which you can set up and start recording. This range starts at under $100 for an interface that provides the basics: an XLR combo preamp with Hi-Z mode, direct monitoring, loopback, and a USB-A port for controllers and peripheral devices.
As you go up the range, you get additional inputs, MIDI I/O, and optional DC power operation, which offers more flexibility for different types of audio setups. Meanwhile, the more recently released MiniFuse 2 OTG provides an additional USB input for content creation and streaming setups, so you can conveniently run a laptop and a smartphone through the same interface.
Overall, the MiniFuse series provides options that are as affordable as they are easy to use. What’s more, the stark black and white colour schemes suit the new generation of music creators who are keen to incorporate video content and streaming alongside their musical output. Get it at Thomann.*
Focusrite Scarlett Alternatives: MOTU M-Series
When it comes to audio interfaces, MOTU is a specialist manufacturer, historically preferred by Mac users, that has been in the game before the Focusrite Scarlett series was launched. Although the M-Series is now over six years old, the ESS Sabre32 Ultra converter technology still stands up and compares to the latest generation of the Scarlett Series with 24-bit 192 kHz recording capabilities.
The M-Series consists of three different options, all with MIDI I/O, loopback, and direct monitoring, adding more balanced and unbalanced I/O as you go up the range. Naturally, the flagship M6 has the most I/O options with four XLR combo preamps, an additional set of balanced TRS outputs, dual headphone outputs, and optional DC power operation.
Overall, the M-Series is still a competitive option for home recording, with a great balance of quality and affordability. Also, the clear LED metering and features like the per-channel monitoring switches add to the accuracy of the recording experience and make it suitable for any workflow. Get it at Thomann.*
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